3. The Artistic Treatment of the Architectural Image-Ending

The decorations on ancient Chinese structures have cultural connotations as well as esthetic ones. The dragon heads on the edges of roof ridges signify the spurting of water to douse fires. The dragon, phoenix, tiger and tortoise were regarded as sacred animals by the ancient Chinese, and they carved images of them on eave tiles which were exclusively used on imperial structures. The emperors were supposed to be descendants of dragons, so there are images of dragons all over imperial structures, from balustrade column heads, terrace steps and stone foundations of pillars to roof beams, paintings on ceilings and carvings on doors and windows. Symbols denoting happiness, honor and longevity can be seen everywhere on traditional Chinese structures, including palaces, temples, gardens, residences, gateways, windows and roof beams. Bats represent happiness, deer stand for honor, and pines, cranes and peaches represent longevity. In addition, there are various patterns made by putting Chinese characters together, like the combination of the characters meaning happiness, longevity and ten thousand.

Ancient artisans were also good at using colors to decorate buildings. In the Forbidden City, stretches of yellow glazed tiles glitter under the blue sky, and there is a pleasing contrast between the dark green used beneath eaves, red doors, windows and walls, and white terrace foundations. Structures in private gardens in the south tend to have white walls, gray bricks and black tiles. Roof beams and pillars are usually left unpainted. Standing in harmony with the surrounding green vegetation, these structures create the simple and refined atmosphere beloved by the literati of old.

Wooden framework, collective layout and the artistic treatment of architectural image are the basic features of ancient Chinese architecture. In the following sections, we will get to know and appreciate the precious treasures of ancient Chinese architecture by introducing palaces, ancestral halls, religious buildings, gardens and local structures.